Boettger's chameleon (Calumma boettgeri)

Short answers

Boettger's chameleon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

45×45×80 cm, densely planted with small-leaved plants.

Boettger's chameleon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 28–32 °C (small), at night 15–20 °C.

Boettger's chameleon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (moderate).

Boettger's chameleon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~3–5 years.

Boettger's chameleon: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

28–32 °C (small)

Humidity

70–100 %

UVB

Recommended (moderate)

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×45×80 cm, densely planted with small-leaved plants

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor, moss, leaf litter

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, small crickets, house crickets, firebrats

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 8–13 cm (small)

Life expectancy

~3–5 years

Origin

North-western Madagascar (Nosy Be among others, rainforest)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B — registration required

Brumation

a slight night-time drop, hinting at a dry season

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. Chameleons are pronounced loners, and even the mere sight of another of their kind means constant stress — you can see it in dark colouring, refusal to feed and weakened defences. Males fight in earnest, and females are harassed by males. So screen neighbouring enclosures from each other as well. For breeding, introduce the female briefly, stay with them and separate them again afterwards.

Notes

A small, humidity-loving rainforest species; very dense, small-leaved planting matters. Frequently misidentified or confused in the trade.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Boettger's chameleon (Calumma boettgeri) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma ambreense) – Expert
• Andringitra chameleon (Calumma andringitraense) – Expert
• Side-striped chameleon (Calumma gastrotaenia) – Intermediate
• Amber Mountain chameleon (Calumma amber) – Intermediate to expert
• Capuron's chameleon (Calumma capuroni) – Expert
• Forked chameleon (Calumma furcifer) – Expert
• Glaw's chameleon (Calumma glawi) – Expert
• Guibe's chameleon (Calumma guibei) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Boettger's chameleon (Calumma boettgeri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×80 cm, densely planted with small-leaved plants), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor, moss, leaf litter), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.